Lest we make the mistake of thinking our politics is detrimental to the nation’s interests, here is what a truly fucked-up nation looks like:
ZIMBABWE opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was forced last night to halt his campaign to topple Robert Mugabe at a runoff poll this month after being detained by police for the second time in three days.
The detention of Mr Tsvangirai came before US ambassador James McGee said late last night the regime was distributing international food aid only to supporters of the ruling ZANU-PF party.
The UN warned the implementation of its programs would be hit by the regime’s ban on activities by non-governmental organisations. Elisabeth Byrs, spokeswoman of the UN humanitarian affairs bureau OCHA, said it would be the “population that suffers” from any disruption in humanitarian aid delivery.
The regime said earlier that all NGOs wishing to operate in the country would have to reapply for accreditation and promise not to interfere in domestic politics.
…
Mr Tsvangirai fell just two percentage points short of winning an outright majority in the presidential poll. “This is a sign of desperation,” said MDC chief spokesman Nelson Chamisa.
“It was the people of Zimbabwe who voted for the MDC. NGOs do not vote. It’s condescending to think that the people of Zimbabwe voted on the basis of influence by NGOs.”
